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CompletedNCT06943144Updated Jul 9, 2025

Comparative Effects of Dual Task Training and Embodied Learning on Dual Task Performance in Children With Down Syndrome

An interventional study of Dual task Training and Embodied Learning in Down Syndrome, sponsored by Riphah International University. Completed at 1 site in Pakistan. Open to participants aged 7 Years to 12 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-07-09.

Sponsored by Riphah International University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
22
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
7 Years to 12 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of embodied learning and dual-task training in improving coordination and cognitive function in children with Down syndrome. It involves 22 participants aged 7-12, excluding those with other neurological or orthopedic conditions. Participants will be referred from civil hospital Sialkot. Assessments include the Pediatric Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and other balance measures. Interventions include embodied learning (e.g., yoga, storytelling, sensory play) and dual-task activities (e.g., walking while solving puzzles). The goal is to enhance daily functioning and quality of life.

Read the detailed description

Down Syndrome is Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, characterized by impaired motor skills, especially difficulties with coordination, and cognitive impairment. Improving these abilities is essential to raising the affected children's quality of life and everyday functioning. Dual task learning and embodied learning stand out among other interventions as effective strategies. While embodied learning uses physical motions to support cognitive growth, dual task learning mixes motor and cognitive tasks concurrently, testing the brain's capacity for multitasking. The purpose of this study is to compare how well embodied learning and dual task training work to improve dual task performance in kids with Down syndrome.

This study contains 22 participants age 7 to12 years and excludes participants with other neurological or orthopedic disorders, is focused on individuals who match the inclusion criteria Children that are being able to follow instructions. The Participants will be Referred by Civil hospital Sialkot. To test changes in motor coordination and balance, assessment tools such as the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), timed Up and Go Test, Single Leg Stance Test, Four Stage Balance Test, and 30-second Sit to Stand Test will be used. In order to evaluate cognitive engagement and the development of motor skills, dual task training setups (such as walking while labelling objects or balancing while solving puzzles) as well as embodied learning activities (such as Gesture-Based Learning, Physical Storytelling, Yoga, and Sensory Play Art) will be used. The purpose of this research is to offer useful knowledge about the effectiveness and practicality of various interventions in improving the everyday functioning and quality of life of children with Down syndrome.

02

Conditions studied

  • Down Syndrome

Keywords

  • Down Syndrome
  • Motor Coordination
  • Motor Skills
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Cognitive Dysfunction
03

In context

Down Syndrome

432 studies on the registry are indexed under Down Syndrome; 100 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 22 is below the median of 36 across 283 interventional studies indexed under Down Syndrome.

Browse Down Syndrome studies →

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University is the lead sponsor of 2,133 studies on the registry; 633 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
7 Years to 12 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Children diagnosed with Down Syndrome
  • Age 7 to 12 years
  • Ability to follow instructions effectively

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Neurological conditions (cerebral palsy or epilepsy)
  • Orthopedic conditions (Foot Abnormalities,s Hip Dysplasia)
  • Significant sensory impairments (e.g., severe hearing or vision impairments.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
22 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Dual task Training

    dual-task training, participants walk while doing cognitive tasks like counting or object identification to improve coordination and focus. Sessions are 30 minutes, twice weekly, with varying task difficulty and breaks for rest.

    Other: Dual task Training

  • Active comparator
    Embodied Learning

    Participants attend twice-weekly 45-60 minute sessions using movement-based activities like yoga, art, and storytelling to enhance learning. Activities are tailored to individual needs.

    Other: Embodied Learning

Interventions

  • OtherDual task Training

    In dual-task training, participants walk while performing cognitive tasks such as object identification, counting backward, or solving math problems. These exercises aim to improve coordination, attentional control, and dual-task performance by simultaneously engaging cognitive and motor functions. Training sessions are held twice a week, each lasting 30 minutes with breaks for rest and reflection. Tasks vary in complexity to progressively challenge participants and enhance both cognitive processing and gait stability.

  • OtherEmbodied Learning

    Participants in the embodied learning group engage in activities such as yoga, painting, sensory play, physical storytelling, gesture-based learning, and creative storytelling. These exercises use full-body movement to support learning and cognitive development. Examples include using gestures to reinforce concepts, acting out stories to blend movement with narrative, and engaging in yoga for focus and calmness. Art and sensory activities further promote creativity and tactile exploration. Sessions are held twice a week, lasting 45 to 60 minutes, and are tailored to individual needs and progress.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Pediatric Balance Scale(PBS)

    The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a reliable and valid tool used to assess functional balance in school-aged children with mild to moderate motor impairments. It includes 14 items scored from 0 to 4, with a maximum score of 56. The PBS has shown excellent test-retest and interrater reliability and demonstrates strong correlations with functional outcomes such as self-care and mobility. It is also supported by its alignment with other motor assessments, making it an effective measure for evaluating and tracking balance skills in children with motor challenges.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  2. Timed Up and Go (TUG)

    The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a reliable and widely used tool for assessing mobility and fall risk across various populations. It demonstrates strong inter-rater and test-retest reliability, particularly in individuals with joint conditions. The test correlates well with key functional measures such as gait speed, postural control, and step length, and effectively predicts fall risk, making it a valuable tool for evaluating functional mobility.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  3. Single Leg Stance (SLS)

    The Single Leg Stance (SLS) Test evaluates static balance by measuring how long an individual can stand on one leg with eyes open and hands on hips. It is useful for detecting balance impairments, particularly in conditions like Total Knee Arthroplasty and Hip Osteoarthritis, and can indicate fall risk in older adults. The test demonstrates good reliability in these populations, though normative data remains limited.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  4. 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (30CST)

    The 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (30CST) is a reliable and valid tool for assessing lower limb strength and endurance in diverse populations. It shows excellent test-retest, inter-rater, and intra-rater reliability, with strong correlations to other measures of lower extremity function, such as leg press performance. Widely used in clinical and research settings, the 30CST offers a consistent and objective measure of physical performance and functional capacity.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

  5. Four Stage Balance Test

    The Four Stage Balance Test is reliable (interclass correlation = 0.66) over a 3-4-month interval with 187 subjects, indicating stable results. It demonstrates robust validity through strong correlations with established balance measures, making it an effective tool for identifying fall risk in older adults and guiding targeted interventions.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Imran Amjad
    Lahore, Punjab Province 5400, Pakistan
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Izquierdo-Gomez R, Esteban-Cornejo I, Cabanas-Sanchez V, Marcos A, Gomez-Martinez S, Castro-Pinero J, Veiga OL; UP&DOWN Study Group. Are obesity and physical fitness associated with cardiovascular disease risk in adolescents with Down syndrome? The longitudinal UP&DOWN study. J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2023 Sep;48(3):247-259. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2023.2188876. Epub 2023 Mar 30. PubMed 39815918 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jul 9, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06943144
Lead sponsor
Riphah International University
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Apr 24, 2025
Start date
Apr 16, 2025
Primary completion
Jun 10, 2025
Completion
Jun 16, 2025
Last update
Jul 9, 2025

Study contacts

Maria Mahmood, MS-PPT
principal investigator · Riphah International University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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